| There are any number of lures to hook a person on | | | | He also believes it would be the ideal setting for a |
| Pedasi, but great sport-fishing in its coastal waters is | | | | large-scale marina. While Pedasí boasts a small |
| perhaps one of the most universal. Whether it's for | | | | marina for launching small and mid-size boats, Mr |
| the thrill of the reel whizzing out to a massive marlin, | | | | Grimes says a world-class marina would boost the |
| or the truly delectable pleasure of fresh caught | | | | area's profile to no end. |
| yellow fin tuna seared and served with a splash of | | | | "We need a marina," he says emphatically. "I can't tell |
| soy sauce, the fish of Pedasi have made a bit of a | | | | you the number of people with money, that have |
| name for the area. | | | | boats, that want to come here. To support the type |
| Sandwiched between two world-renowned fishing | | | | of activity that I can see happening here, you need a |
| spots, Pinas Bay to the east (where the luxurious | | | | first-class marina." |
| Tropic Star Lodge is located) and Hannibal Banks to | | | | Everyone agrees that a large-scale marina will do |
| the west, Pedasí lies along a stretch of water | | | | much to boost Pedasi's reputation in the sport-fishing |
| known as the 'Tuna Coast'. | | | | world, but even without it, the word is spreading |
| Here the Pacific waters are heavily frequented by | | | | fast. |
| yellow-fin tuna, drawn in on the Humboldt current | | | | Pedasí now hosts an annual fishing |
| from South America. This cold upwelling --- in addition | | | | tournament, held by Pedasi Fishing, a local |
| to creating the drier climate that marks the Azuero | | | | sport-fishing company, which this year drew dozens |
| Peninsula where Pedasi is situated, known as the | | | | of boats and hundreds of spectators over the |
| 'Arco Seco' --- provides the rich nutrients that tuna | | | | weekend-long competition. |
| and the many other species of fish in these waters | | | | In fact, it is the abundant fishing, in addition to the |
| thrive on, making it one of the most diverse marine | | | | area's dry climate, clear waters and country charms |
| ecosystems in the world. | | | | that have drawn increased tourism and development |
| For the sport and leisure fisher, this means a plethora | | | | to the area in recent years. |
| of catches to be hauled aboard virtually year-round, | | | | Many developers are targeting fishing enthusiasts, |
| just minutes from shore. Sailfish, amberjack, | | | | building gated communities tailored to their needs, |
| roosterfish, grouper, Spanish mackerel and red | | | | with beach clubs and waterfront storage lockers to |
| snapper are in steady supply throughout the year. | | | | easily store fishing gear. |
| Other species, like mahi-mahi (a.k.a dorado or | | | | "Pedasi is far from everything, and really authentic. |
| dolphin-fish), wahoo and tuna peak seasonally during | | | | You can fish, surf, bike, ride horses, all in a very |
| the region's summer months, from November to | | | | special place," says Daniel Rudas of Dekel Panama |
| April. | | | | S.A., the development group building Andromeda |
| Because the continental shelf falls away sharply quite | | | | Pedasí, a seaside vacation community aimed |
| close to the coast - in some cases as close as one | | | | at attracting serious sport-fishers among their clients. |
| kilometer out - deep waters are easily accessible, | | | | He and his partners one day envision a multitude of |
| bringing big catches. | | | | fishing yachts anchored offshore in Pedasí, as |
| While some may argue the virtues of trolling versus | | | | sun-and-fun-seekers flock to Panama's coasts. |
| jigging or popping, light tackle versus the simple, | | | | Tourists and developers aren't the only ones drawn |
| traditional pleasure of hand-line fishing, others say | | | | to the bounty of these Pacific waters. Marine |
| knowing where the deep waters lie is the key to a | | | | scientists from around the world visit the Achotines |
| successful catch. | | | | Laboratory, in face of the Frailes Islands. The |
| The Frailes Islands, next to Playa Venao (incidentally a | | | | laboratory has been operating in the Pedasi district |
| world-renowned surfing spot), is a much-favoured | | | | since 1985, studying the life cycle of yellow-fin tuna. |
| spot. In addition to great scuba-diving, these rocky | | | | Because their numbers are so plentiful in the waters |
| islands close to shore house a number of | | | | offshore, scientists can easily collect dozens of |
| bottom-dwellers, as well as attracting passing tuna | | | | juvenile tuna to raise and breed in large, |
| and snapper. They also offer some shelter in the 'dry | | | | specially-made tanks. |
| months', from January to March, when strong trade | | | | Their studies are helping to provide clues as to the |
| winds make fishing difficult on the peninsula's tip. | | | | feeding, breeding and migration habits of these tuna |
| Isla Iguana, an island nature reserve 20 minutes off | | | | in the wild --- about which little is known to date --- in |
| Pedasí that is home to nesting frigate birds | | | | hopes of instituting conservation programs to |
| and surrounded by an extensive coral reef, is also | | | | prevent the population loss seen in the bluefin tuna, |
| much-visited by local pangas to snare a tasty dinner | | | | whose flesh is so prized for sushi and other Asian |
| catch. A little further west, Isla Cañas, an island | | | | dishes. |
| known for prolific turtle nesting on its 14 | | | | "The commission (the Inter-American Tropical Tuna |
| kilometer-long beach, is another favored spot for light | | | | Commission, which oversees the Achotines |
| tackle. | | | | Laboratory) also works to reduce tuna by-catch," |
| However, Bob Grimes, the owner of Dive-n-Fish | | | | says lab technician Daniel Perez, "through |
| Pedasí, a local scuba-diving and sport fishing | | | | experimental nets with escape hatches to see if |
| operation, says Cambutal, at the end of the paved | | | | juvenile fish are able to escape while restraining |
| roads on the tip of the peninsula, the best bet for | | | | mature tuna." |
| the bigger prizes. | | | | Future studies will also include sailfish, he says, which |
| "That's where the best fishing is for miles around, the | | | | is good news for sport-fishers ¾ their work |
| continental shelf drops about a kilometre from shore," | | | | will help ensure game fish off Pedasi remain plentiful |
| he says. "That's where you get the marlin and the big | | | | for generations to come. |
| tuna." | | | | |